Winning his fourth Pride in the Job Quality award on behalf of himself, his site team and his company is Mark Burton, site manager at Barratt Homes Eden Park development in Carliol Road, Carlisle.
He scooped his first award in 2006 at the company’s Oaklands View development, followed by another in 2008 at Lowry Gardens, before winning in 2009 – again at Eden Park – the same development for which he has achieved this year’s accolade.
As if that wasn’t enough, he started out his winning streak as assistant site manager on a Barratt Homes development where the site manager won a coveted NHBC Seal of Excellence in 2005 – setting Mark on the path to win awards of his own.
“This has been a good site for me” said a jubilant Mark, who puts his success down to attention to detail, the cleanliness of the site and ensuring a high quality build. “I like the site to be tidy and look right – which also makes things safer too” he said. “If I would be happy with something in my home, then I know it’s good enough here.”
He has worked for the company for nine years and has retained the majority of the site team with him today. “Some I inherited and some I added, but they are a brilliant team. Without the team there’s no chance of winning an award. They are all over the moon with this year’s award too,” he said. He also added a big ‘thank you’ to his assistant site manager Tony Diprose, who he said has been a great asset.
Mark and his team have constructed 45 homes on the site so far this year. “Sales have been good here this year, which is excellent considering the present economic climate” he said.
Mark has been in the construction industry for 30 years, since he left school at the age of 16. Having started as a plasterer, he worked his way up to becoming an assistant site manager at Barratt Homes nine years ago.
He has been personally congratulated by his construction director, regional chairman and group chairman. “It’s nice to be recognised for winning the award and it’s very good for the company too” he said.
Eden Park comprises a diverse mix of homes ranging from apartments, mews houses and townhouses to detached homes. Of 110 homes on the site, there are now just 14 left to sell. “The site is well designed. It is on a slight slope and there are a number of stepped foundations and retaining walls involved in the construction – and this all helps to add character to the development” said Mark.
The development is ideally located in Carlisle which has a compact and historic centre, including a castle, cathedral and semi-intact city walls. It is home to the main campuses of the University of Cumbria and a variety of museums and heritage centres.
The Eden Park site is due for completion at the beginning of next year.
Barratt Homes is officially the highest quality major national housebuilder – indeed it has been awarded an exclusive ‘5 Star Housebuilder Award*’ by the Homebuilders Federation.
“The award is the result of recommendations from customers as well as our superior build quality, so Barrat is especially proud to be the only major national housebuilder to be awarded this accreditation – two years straight.
“The award is extra assurance that buyers can expect the best quality build when they choose a Barratt home.”
The first Barratt company was established in 1958 in Newcastle upon Tyne and then grew steadily, establishing the roots that were to support its future growth.
The company was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1968 and in 1972 a programme of rapid expansion was launched through a series of acquisitions and the creation of new companies.
During the 1990s the group grew organically, establishing an unrivalled track record of consistent growth. In April 2007 Barratt acquired Wilson Bowden PLC and today has a network of 25 housebuilding divisions throughout Britain, selling new homes under the Barratt, David Wilson and Ward Homes brands.
